Irish health department implements incident group in response to death of sisters' in Donegal

A group of mental health professionals have been drafted in by the Health Service Executive (HSE) in Donegal, to support Shannon Gallagher’s schoolmates and teachers after the teenager took her own life on Wednesday, just six weeks after her sister Erin died.

The 15-year-old was grieving following the suicide of her younger sister Erin, who took her own life after being bullied by Internet trolls.

Posting on Facebook moments before taking her life, Shannon wrote: “So hard wrapping christmas presents without you baby girl :( miss you more and more every day, will be up to the grave to see you this week, love you loads baby girl.”

Her body was discovered on Wednesday night, the teenager was due to celebrate her 16th birthday on December 23.

Both psychologists and mental health experts are on hand to students and staff at Finn Valley College in Stranorlar in the wake of the double tragedy.

Psychologists from the Department of Education’s National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) were at the Donegal school as part of the critical incident team.

“They are supporting the school staff in responding to the needs of the pupils at this difficult time. They are working in collaboration with colleagues from the National Office of Suicide Prevention and the HSE clinical psychology, and child and adolescent mental health services,” a department spokesperson said.